The Obssession Palette Review

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

*Disclaimer: This was written in January but thought it was still worth posting, i haven't gone completely crazy!*

 I'd never tried or even heard of Obsession until I saw a stand in Boots. I had a lil browse and was pleasantly surprised at what I saw. I flicked through the various eyeshadow palettes and was pretty impressed with the pigmentation, especially because of the low price. The boyf remembered I'd liked the look of the palettes and bought me one for Chrimbo. I've now put it to test for a few weeks, so thought I'd write a review.

Packaging

The packaging was what initially drew me to looking at the eyeshadow palettes. It's pretty simple, pink with silver raised lettering, but it works and stands out in my makeup collection. What I particularly like though is the magnetic close and huge mirror. It makes it perfect for taking on holiday with you. I also love that the shades have names which is pretty rare for a cheaper eyeshadow palette. 

Eyeshadows

The palette features 16 shadows which is pretty good. The shade range is good too, it's got the neutral shades in to suit my usual brown/bronze/natural eye look but also slightly more 'out there' shades such as the oranges. It has a couple of vibrant blues too, however I'm unlikely to use those, other than for Halloween makeup. The shades swatch really well and are super pigmented. Spell in particular looks amazing as an inner corner highlight and lasts there so much better than a lot of other shadows. The only thing I do find is that some of the more nude shades such as Defuse, Meditate and Crossroads look a lot more orangey, red when on the eye than when swatched. The shadows last pretty well, however I do need a primer to keep them on all day/night. 

Price

 For the price (£10), you really can't go wrong. They're not as creamy or buttery as some of my other more high-end palettes but for 10 quid, I can't complain. I'm definitely going to give some of the other variations a whirl. 
Have you tried any Obsession makeup?
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The Tarte Haul

Wednesday, 8 July 2020
Tarte recently had a deal where you could choose 7 full size products from 7 categories and create your own custom kit for £56 - which was worth something ridicuolous like £190. I thought there must be a catch here but after going through all the stages i realised there really wasn't and proceeded to gleefully add to basket and fill in my card details *whilst doing a lil happy dance*. Then after two weeks (held up also due to Covid) my parcel arived and i could finally try out my new goodies. Here's what i got:
First category was foundation and seeing as i wasn't paying normal prices i thought i'd try something different and i opted for the Amazonian Clay Airbrush Powder Foundation. I don't have any powder foundations in my collection and have actually never tried one so thought it would be the perfect opportunity!

 Next up was a face product, and since there wasn't any options for a bronzer (i love bronzer) i chose the Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Exposed - a product i've wanted to try for a while and a shade reviewed by many as 'universal'.

 Third category i believe was eyes and this one was a no-brainer - the Tarteist Pro To Go Palette - the only palette option and the most expensive product in the category. Gotta get your money's worth, right??

 Fourth choice was a mascara. I've heard a lot about Lights, Camera, Lashes so thought i'd give it a whirl and on first impressions i very much like!

 Next was lips, and i'm always gonna go for a liquid lipstick, or in Tarte's words, a lip paint. Now this is the only product i'm a tad disappointed in. I chose the shade salty, which was described as a pinky nude. I've been after 'the perfect pink nude' shade for a while, something that's not too dissimilar to my lips. From the swatches online it looked pretty much bang on but on my lips it's much more of a peachy pale nude. I hated it when i first applied but as the colour dried i definitely warmed to it more - although it's still not pinky!

 The 6th category was labelled body (i think) and included a lot of body shimmers etc. I chose the only brush option, the Rainforest of the Sea Highlighting Fan Brush, which can i say is gorggg and is worth £29 alone! I've never actually owned a fan brush but i'm definitely a fan (no pun intended).

 The final option was a bag to fit all these new products in - these sort of deals always have this kind of 'cop out' option. But i'm really not complaining, the rest of this deal was so good and i actually like the makeup bag - plain black with pink zipper tassles that surprisingly fits a hell of a lot in.

 So all in all, a great marketing campaign from Tarte. I'm one happy customer who told several friends about this who in-turn told their friends. I've gone from being a Tarte virgin to a Tarte convert. I also slipped in a cheeky order for their Shape Tate concealer at the same time (30% off!) - i know i'm very late to the game with this one. I just love my Collection lasting perfection concealer and didn't see the point in purchasing something much more expensive. Now i know what the hype is all about!
Did you see this deal? What did you think?
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The Foundation Collection

Wednesday, 8 April 2020

 I love foundation and i love testing new foundations. Lockdown was the perfect opportunity to look through my stash and maybe give you inspiration if you're on the lookout for trying something new...

 Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation - SB 02
The most recent addition to my collection, and very unlike me, was purchased on a bit of whim - a 20% sale dragged me in! I like it but i don't love it, so i'm not sure i'd repurchase especially considering the price. My main gripe is it seems to cling to dry patches as it wears throughout the day, and the shade is too pale - mainly my fault i know. According to reviews and an online shade matcher, 02 would be the right shade however it is very fair - so i either go heavy on the bronzer or mix it with darker foundations.

 Nars Sheer Glow - Mont Blanc
One of my all-time faves, i think i'm on maybe my 4th or 5th bottle, which speaks volumes. I've spoke about it a lot on my blog so i'll be brief - good coverage, still looks like skin and Mont Blanc is the perfect shade for my natural skin. It sometimes baffles me how spot on it is??! 

 Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation - 120
This challenges Nars Sheer Glow as my all time fave! A heavier coverage than Nars so perfect on my bad skin days weeks and lasts longer than any other foundation i've tried -staying power is something i've always struggled with. I sometimes find that it starts to cling to dry patches later in the day, but i can put up with that for the staying power. I'm running desperately low so i need to buy another bottle ASAP. 

Bourjois Air Mat - 01 Rose Ivory
Unlike the issue with Skin Base, this is far too orange despite being the lightest shade available - super disappointing. I'm really not a fan of this - probably should have chucked it away by now but i keep it just to mix in with lighter foundations if i'm tanned. 

 Rimmel Match Perfection - 102 Light Nude
An oldie but a goodie. Used to purchase this all the time in my school years. It's an all-rounder so i thought i'd buy again as inexpensive fake tan foundation.

 Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - 53 Light Beige
Love love love this in the summer! It's my go-to for on holiday - perfect with sun-kissed skin to add light coverage and even out tone. Can it be summer now please??
What are your favourite foundations?
Catherine x
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The Travel Photo Diary | Santorini

Sunday, 29 March 2020
I've done it again. I've gone months without posting. Once again a busy work life got in the way. I've recently had the urge to get in back in the swing of posting (relatively) regularly. I'm hoping this will be my little sanctuary during this mad time we live in. So here goes, a little escape from reality with a look back in photos of a dream holiday in Santorini last year, to have us all dreaming of holidays and better days again...

What are you doing with the extra time at home?

Stay safe x

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The 3 Favourite Lipstick Brands

Thursday, 3 January 2019
Lipsticks are my makeup purchase go-to. I love how they can change any look in an instant. With that in mind, I've decided on 3 of my favourite lipstick brands, not just from 2018, but from all-time. 

 Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
No surprises here. If matte is your thing, then you can't go wrong with a liquid lipstick. However, finding a liquid lipstick that is smooth, will glide on effortlessly and won’t crack or dry out your lips is another thing. Come in Stila. Stila have an array of shades that will literally last all day, whether you want to stick to the classic nude or you’re going bold with a bright red. My personal fave is Perla- a somewhat pink, somewhat mauve, nude shade. In one swipe of the applicator, you’ve got opaque lips that you won’t have to worry about.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick
Left to Right: 42, 12, 107
The purse friendly option. Rimmel do a great selection of lipsticks but I personally love the Kate Moss ranges, whether that be the lasting finish, nude collection or spring range. All their lipsticks are super pigmented and creamy to apply. The lasting finish range has the greatest staying power (hence the name) since they are matte. But, I also love the creamier finish of the nude collection. Number 42 is my go-to nude for a night out.

 MAC Lipsticks
Left & right: Lady Gaga Collection, middle: Rebel
Everyone loves MAC lipsticks, right? They're the classics I aspired to collect when I was young. The shade range and finishes means we're all spoilt for choice. I mean there is matte, satin, frost, cremesheen, lustre and amplified, just to name a few. There's also the celeb collaborations. I actually have two of the Lady Gaga Lipsticks from way-back-when. That's a lot of shades and a lot of choice. A few well-loved favourites if your a newbie are Velvet Teddy, Modesty, Honey Love and Ruby Woo.
What are your favourites?


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Christmas Gift Guide for Him | 2018

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

 The final post in my series of gift guides... it's all about what to get the important men in your life. I've let the boyf take the reigns on this one and pick items that he himself would like or would know plenty of other men would enjoy. As always, I've split into three categories- budget, mid-range and luxury. Happy shopping!

 Budget Buys

Men are always on the toilet, so what a perfect little stocking filler.


Marvel fans will love this vinyl. 


If you and your other half love travelling, this is a great gift. With stunning photography, it provides inspiration, information and tips. 


Mid-Range

I love this... I might even buy one for myself. 


Hugo Boss fragrances are a classic... you just can't go wrong. The woody notes make it perfect for evenings, whether that be a night out or a chilled evening with friends. 


If you're other half is a big kid, like mine, then they will love receiving a nerf gun. We regularly go to toy shops just so he can browse the nerf guns...seriously! This is considered one of the best nerf guns according to Trusted Reviews, since you can switch between single shot firing, fully automatic and three-shot bursts. The only thing to consider with nerf guns, is you can't just get one!

Ooh La Luxury

My boyfriend and I are massive JBL fans. I bought him JBL headphones last Christmas and he loves them. With great bass, these are perfect for the gym, noisy train journeys or gaming. 


The latest GoPro to be released, Hero 7 has everything that made the previous models so iconic but with several new features including hypersmooth image stabilisation, improved audio and live-streaming, just to name a few. 


Experience gifts are great, thoughtful presents, especially when your stuck on ideas. If he's always wanted to fly a plane, then he'll love this double flying lesson. If that's not his thing, then there are hundreds of other experience gifts to choose from. I'm talking sports car driving, skydiving or a craft beer tour!


I hope you found inspiration from this gift guide, even if it was just for yourself!

Catherine x

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Christmas Gift Guide for Her | 2018

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

 Time for the second of my Christmas gift guides, this time all about the galsss! Hopefully you'll be able to find something for the women in your life! If you're after solely beauty items, check out my Beauty Christmas Gift Guide. 
As before, it's split into three sections and hopefully covers all budgets, happy reading!

Budget Buys
This makes a great lil stocking filler for anyone that's still Friends obsessed- I mean, who isn't??

A lovely coffee table book for any novice plant parent. With tips on how to choose plants and most importantly, how to care for them, it's a lovely gift for a house plant enthusiast... and there seems to be a lot of them atm!


I love glass trinket trays. They are perfect for keeping on your bedside table and popping all your jewellery in at the end of the day. I also use one to display my perfumes. The pressed flowers are an extra nice touch.


Mid-Range Love


You can never go wrong with a candle. Standard. This one has 3 wicks, 80 hours of burning time and is a great decorative piece. 


I've always been a cocktail lover, but I never really made them at home... until I got a shaker. Now I make them alllll the time! This set not only comes with the shaker but has everything else you will need for the perfect cocktails.


The ultimate cosy jumper. 


Ooh La Luxury

I know so many people already have an instax camera but it makes a great gift for anyone that's not on the polaroid trend just yet. If you wanna go all out, you can get her accessories too, such as a case, extra films or lenses.


Rose gold and marble- do I have to say anything else? ha! I loooove this, so stylish, so elegant and so luxurious. It is guaranteed to look amazing on a dressing table!

We're definitely talking luxury now. With the classic handbag shape and modern colours, this bag will become her style staple. A luxury gift for that someone special!


Hope you enjoyed and found some inspiration from my second post in my series of gift guides. Don't forget to check out my beauty gift guide and come back in a few days for my third and final Christmas gift guide- what to get the men in your life!

Catherine x

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Beauty Christmas Gift Guide | 2018

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

 I can't believe we're already talking Christmas. Every year seems to fly by and this year is no different. It's time for cosy nights, mulled wine, get togethers and parties. It also means Christmas shopping, which may inject you with fear. I normally do all mine online to avoid the crowds! But wherever I shop, I love using gift guides for inspiration and to help me when i'm stuck in a rut. SO, I thought it'd be helpful to create my own gift guide this year. 
This is the first of 3 Christmas gift guides i'll be posting on my blog. Each guide will have budget, mid-range and luxury items, to cover everyone's needs. This one, as you can tell by the title, is all about beauty. So lets dive in....

Budget Friendly Options
These items cost no more than £20 and are great gifts for friends or family if you're on a budget. They'd also be great as stocking fillers or secret santa prezzies!
These bath salts use biodegradable glitter (very important) to turn bathwater gold and shimmery. And the prosecco scent makes it the perfect pamper evening treat!

A lovely selection of three nail polishes, perfect for Essie fans or nail polish fans in general. 

I think this is a really thoughtful gift for anyone you know who struggles to sleep. The deep sleep pillow spray and stress check roll on are two of their bestsellers and really do work a treat! 


Mid-Range Beauty Treats
Everyone knows i'm obsessed with the Stila liquid lipstick in Perla. I've mentioned it so many times it's now boring and even classed it as my favourite liquid lipstick! Sets are great ways to try a few colours and this one features a gorgeous range from nudes to deep reds. This is going on my Christmas list....

Brow lovers rejoice- this kit has everything you need! Perfect for eyebrow obsessed gals or maybe for a friend who has never got on the brow train before. It comes in three shades- light, medium and deep, and I think it's pretty good value at £31.50. They also do a 'defined and refined set' and 'soft and natural set'.

Eyeshadow lovers or Naked palette lovers will love the new Urban Decay release for Christmas. With 12 new shades, featuring mattes and shimmers, and ranging from ivory to rose gold to black cherry, this has everything needed for daytime glam or festive party!

Ooh la luxury
Charlotte Tilbury for me is ultimate luxury. Charlotte does several of these kits but I love a bronze and copper toned eye, so Dolce Vita is the one for me. With eyeliner and mascara, it has everything you need for creating a smokey eye, just in time for New Year. 

The latest limited edition Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette, featuring four bestselling powders and two new shades. A great investment for travelling or makeup junkies. 
Discover 5 of Jo Malone's beautiful fragrances with this collection. Perfect for travelling, trying a few scents before investing in one or for mixing and matching. 


So there, the first of my Christmas gift guides. Hope you found some inspiration, maybe just for your own Christmas list... Check back in a few days for the next one!

Catherine x
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OOTD | Autumn Day

Thursday, 1 November 2018
I have been loving this outfit recently. It features this beaut bat wing jumper from Pull & Bear, high waisted mom jeans from Missguided and my go-to heeled boots.
I've also been loving tucking in my tops recently. There's something about it that makes you look more put together. I still like to wear this jumper not tucked in, it's quite flowy and baggy, but goes with just about everything. 
It was unusually warm for autumn when I shot these photos, but throw on a leather jacket and your good to go even when the temperature hits single figures. 
What's your go-to style in autumn?

 *Outfit Details*
Catherine x
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